Device to determine inclination of oil wells



R. TEMPLE March 1-9, 1935.

DEVICE TO DETERMINE INCLINATION OF OIL WELLS Filed Dec. 1, 1950 @V A N m ATTORNEYS v of a well, mine shaft, or other similar excavaother resilient material, which serve to hold the Patented Mar. 19, 1935 v DEVICE TO-DETERMINE INCLINATION OF OIL WELLS Robert Temple, Denver, 0010., assignor to Robert Temple, Inc.. Denver, 0010.

Application December 1, 1930, Serial No. 499,319] 21 Claims. (01. 234-53) This invention relates to apparatus for measuring angles of inclination of wells and other earth-bores, and its principal object is to provide a simple device by which the angle of inclination fed through the tube to the drill-bit in the operation of the drill. The two members 6 and '7 of the housing are shouldered at their adjoining ends and clamped between these shoulders are two retaining disks 14 and 15 for the application of a fragile diaphragm 16 placed between them. The diaphragm may be made of fibre or other suitable material that may be punctured by means of a forcibly applied punch, and it functions in the operation of the device to normally provide a dividing wall or partition between a water-reservoir 17 inside the cap-member, and a chamber 18 inside the body-member. A mercury-container 19 consists of a cup snugly fitted in the bottom portion of the body-member and held in place by the following means:

' A short tube' 20 likewise fitted in the bodymember engages the edge of the cup 19 and is itself engaged at its upper edge by a saucershaped washer 21.

An elastic ring 22 preferably made of rubber, is placed in the washer 21 in engagement with the lower retaining member of the diaphragm, and this ring, upon being compressed between the parts with which it engages, effects a fluid-tight contact between the cup and the tube and between the tube and the retaining member 15. The two retaining members 14 and 15, the compression-member 22, and the washer 21 have axially alined central holes to admit the punch by which in the operation of the tool, the diaphragm is punctured.

The punch consists of a cylindrical pin 23 slidably fitted in a central opening of the cup and having an end portion of reduced diameter normally disposed in the central opening of the retaining-member 14, to rest upon the diaphragm 16 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. The punch has in its body portion, an axial bore 24 and an aperture 25 at the end thereof through which the reservoir may be supplied with water or other liquid, and it is similarly bored and apertured at its opposite reduced end to provide a passage 26 for the water from the reservoir 17 into the chamber 18 of the body member, after the diaphragm has been punctured as shown in Figure .2.

The punch has at its outer end a head 27 to restrict its inward movement, and a rubber washer 28 around the punch, beneath the head, cushions its impact with the housing.

tion may be accurately ascertained in an equally simple process of operation.

Another object resides in providing in association with apparatus of the above described. character, means to produce a permanent record of the measured angle and still further objects reside in details of constructions and in novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will be clearly brought out in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing in the several views of which like parts have been similarly designated,

Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of the measuring-device in operative condition,

Figure 2, a sectional view of a well showing a sectional elevation of the device, with the parts thereof in the position they occupy after the measuring operation has been completed,

Figure 3, a section of the record produced in the operation of the device, and

Fig. 4 an enlarged sectional view of the mercury-container of the device.

The invention is particularly adapted for use in measuring the angle of inclination of oil wells and the drawing illustrates the invention in that connection.

The well is designated by the reference numeral 5 and the angle at which it inclines from the perpendicular is designated by the letter The measuring device comprises a hollow body 6 made of metal or other suitable material, and having at its open end an external screw thread for the application of a cap 7. The body-memher and the cap-member of the device, constitute conjointly a fluid-tight housing in which the operating parts of the device are assembled.

The two members are exteriorly channeled for the application of rings 8 made of rubber or device in a position axially coincident with a hollow tube 9 of a rotary drill extending in the well.

The drill bit at the end of the tube has been indicated at 10 and a cruciform filler 12 fitted in the tube above the drill-bit, may be employed to provide a stable support for the measuring device. In the operation of the device placed inside The housing is spaced from the wall of the, the drill-tube, as-shown in Figure 2. the cup 19 tube, and the rubber rings 8 are peripherally is supplied with a quantity of mercury or other notched as at 13 to provide passages for water 60 of copper amalgamated by a coating of mercury suitable fluid indicated at 29. Resting upon this body of mercury is a quantity of plaster of Paris or other composition 30 that will .readily set when mixed with water. In the use of mercury, it is advisable that the cup be made of copper interiorly amalgamated by a coating of quicksilver as shown at A in Figure 4 to provide for an intimate contact between the mercury and the surface of the cup and to produce by capillary attraction, a concavc'meniscus at the surface of the mercury, whereby to prevent the plastic powder from intermingling with the mercury or from entering between the mercury and the wall of the cup, as might otherwise occur, particularly by reason of constant agitation of the liquid by movement of the rotary drill.

It is obviously desirable that the mercury and the plaster be maintained in separate bodies and in superposed relation to each other. When the device is placed in an inclined well as has been illustrated in Figure 2, the mercury naturally finds its level and its surface upon which the plastic powder rests is constantly in a horizontal plane. Now, when by puncturing the diaphragm, water is admitted to the chamber 18, it mixes with the powdered plaster, and the cementitious light mixture thus produced sets hydraulically into a solid mass, one surface of which is contiguous to the level surface of the mercury. The mass extends partially into the tube 20 and by removing this tube from the device, a permanent record of the angle of inclination of the well, is obtained.

In this connection, it is to be remembered that the axis of the tube is, in the operative position of the device, coincident with the axis of the well and that the end of the tube opposite to that engaged by the plaster cast, is at right angles to said axis. Therefore, if the tube after it is removed from the housing is placed on end upon a surface with the cast uppermost, the upper surface of the cast gives the angle of inclination which is readily measured by a suitable instrument placed along said surface.

In order that the surface of the cast may be in the proper condition for the placement of the measuring instrument, it should present at least two points of contactin the plane established by the surface of the mercury, without intervening points outside said plane.

With this object in view, the cup has a tapering central core 31 which forms an annular receptacle for the mercury. The level of the mercury in the operative position of the device is below the end of the core so that the end of the hardened body of plastic material 32 will also be annular as illustrated in Figure 3, without convexity or obstructive irregularities.

In order to facilitate the removal of the record from the device, a tapering pin 33 is screwed into the end of the core 31. The pin is also made shown at B in Figure 4 to prevent its adherence to the plaster and it has at its end a slot for the application of a screw-driver. After the screw is removed and air is admitted to the surface of the mercury by leakage around the end of the core, the tube 20 with the plaster cast 32 firmly held in an end thereof by adhesion is readily taken from the housing after the cap and the parts that normally close the chamber 18 have been removed.

The punch 23 may be driven through the diaphragm by dropping a go-devil or other weight into the drill-tube. The weight, shown at A in Figure 2, falls upon the head of the punch and causes the latter to puncture the diaphragm as hereinbefore explained.

Other means for puncturing the diaphragm may be employed and it will be apparent that in the absence of a rotary drill-tool, the device may be placed inside the casing of an oil well, or, generally, within the excavation in any suitable manner and held in place by any convenient means.

Other variations in the construction of the device and the arrangement of the parts thereof, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It'is to be understood that the word plaster" as used in the description of the invention and in the hereunto appended claims, is a general term to include any substance or composition that will harden in place by the addition of a liquid or by any agent from which it is normally separated, and that the term solidifying fluid" in the claims includes water or any other liquid which causes the plaster of Paris to be solidified. While these materials have been found to be very satisfactory for the particular purpose herein set forth, it is to be understood that applicant is not limiting himself to this specific combination, but claims the full range of equivalents.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container, a medium in said container adapted to provide a horizontal surface in the bore, a plaster supported on said surface, a tube providing a chamber for the plaster, axially parallel with the axis of the bore, and means for admitting a solidifying liquid to the plaster.

2. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container, a medium in said container adapted to provide a horizontal surface in the bore, a substance supported on said surface, adapted to form a cast, in the presence of an agent from which it is normally separated, and means to admit such agent to the substance.

3. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm in the container, dividing its interior into chambers, a plaster supporting liquid adapted to find its level in one of the chambers, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, a plaster supported by said liquid, and means for puncturing the diaphragm whereby to admit the fluid from the other chamber to the plaster.

4. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, 9. diaphragm in the container, dividing its interior into chambers, a plaster supporting liquid adapted to find its level in one of the chambers, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, a plaster supported by saidliquid, and a punch, for puncturing the diaphragm, whereby to admit a fluid from the other chamber to the plaster, and having a passage for conveying said fluid from an exterior point of supply to the said other chamber.

5. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm in the container, dividing its interior into chambers, a body of mercury in one of the chambers, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, a plaster above the mercury, and means for puncturing the diaphragm, whereby to admit the liquid from the other chamber, to the plaster.

6. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm in the container, dividing its interior into chambers, a core in one of said chambers to provide an annular space, a plaster supporting liquid in said space, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, a plaster above the surface of the liquid, and means for admitting the fluid from the other chamber, to the plaster.

7. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm dividing the container into chambers, a plaster supporting liquid in one of the chambers, a removable tube in the same chamber, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, a plaster in the tube, above the liquid, and means for puncturing the diaphragm, whereby to admit the fluid from the other chamber, to the plaster.

8. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising ,a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm dividing the container into chambers, a plaster supporting liquid in one of the chambers, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, a removable tube in the first chamber, an abutment for the tube, a pressure appliance, maintaining the contact of the tube with the abutment, a plaster in the tube, above the liquid, and means for breaking the diaphragm, whereby to admit the fluid from the other chamber, to the plaster.

9. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore,' comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm dividing the container into chambers, a plaster supporting liquid in one of the chambers, a removable tube in the same chamber, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, a plaster in the tube, above the liquid, a retaining-member for the diaphragm, an abutment for the tube, a resilient pressure-member, supporting the retaining-member and bearing upon the tube, and means for puncturing the diaphragm, whereby to admit the fluid from the other chamber, to the plaster.

10. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, resilient members, exteriorly of the container, for holding it in place in the bore, a diaphragm in the container, dividing its interior into chambers, a plaster supporting liquid adapted to flnd its level in one of the chambers, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, a plaster above said liquid, and means for puncturing the diaphragm whereby to admit the fluid from the other chamber to the plaster.

11. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm dividing the container into upper and lower chambers, apertured retaining-members for the diaphragm, a plaster supporting liquid in the lower chamber, an abutment in the lower chamber, a tube upon the abutment, a plaster in the tube, above the liquid, a pressure-member acting on the tube, and a punch adapted to be driven through the apertures of the retaining-members to puncture the diaphragm.

12. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore. comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm dividing the container into upper and lower chambers, aperturedretaining-members for the diaphragm, a cup in the lower chamber, a plaster supporting liquid in the cup, a tube in the lower chamber, resting upon the cup, a plaster in the tube, above the liquid, a pressure-member acting on the tube, and a punch adapted to be driven through the apertures of the retaining-members to puncture the diaphragm.

13. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a container adapted for insertion in the bore, a diaphragm dividing the container into upper and lower chambers, apertured retaining-members for the diaphragm, an amalgamated cup in the lower chamber, a body of mercury in the cup, a tube in the lower chamber, resting upon the cup, a plaster in the tube, above the mercury,a pressure-member acting on the tube, and a punch adapted to be driven through the apertures of the retainingmembers to puncture the diaphragm.

14. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth bore, comprising a hollow holding element adapted for insertion in the bore, a mercury-container in the holding element, a removable tube in the container, having its axis coincident with that of the bore, a body of mercury in the container, a plaster in the tube, supported upon the mercury, and means for admitting a solidifying fluid to the plaster.

15. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth bore, comprising a hollow holding-element adapted for insertion in the bore, a mercury-container in the holding element, a removable tube in the container, having its axis coincident with that of the bore, and having an end in a plane at right angles to said axis, a body of mercury in the container, a plaster in the tube, supported upon the mercury, and means for admitting a solidifying fluid to the plaster.

16. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth bore, comprising a hollow holding-element adapted for insertion in the bore, a puncturable diaphragm dividing a space in the holding element into two chambers, a body of mercury in one of the chambers, a removable tube in the same chamber, above the mercury, a plaster in the tube, supported by the mercury, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, and a punch disposed to puncture the diaphragm for admitting said fluid to the plaster, and projecting outside the holding-element to be engaged by a driving-element moved into the bore after the holding-element is in place therein.

1'7. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth bore, comprising a hollow holding-element adapted for insertion in the bore, a puncturable diaphragm dividing a space in the holding element into two chambers, a body of mercury in one of the chambers, a removable tube in the same chamber, above the mercury, a plaster in the tube, supported by the mercury, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, and a punch disposed to puncture the diaphragm, and having a passage for'conveying the fluid from said other chamber to the plaster.

18. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth-bore, comprising a holding-element adapted for insertion in the bore, and having a mercury container and a container for a solidifying liquid, a removable tube, having its axis coincident with that of the bore, a body of mercury in the mercury-container, a plaster in the tube, supported by the mercury, a solidifying fluid in the other chamber, means capable of providing a connection between the containers for the passage of a fluid from said other chamber, to the plaster, and an operating member, controlling said connection.

19. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth bore, comprising a hollow holding-element adapted for insertion in the bore, a mercury-container in the holding element, having an amalgamated inner surface, a removable tube in the container, having its axis coincident 'with that of the bore, a body of mercury in the container, a plaster in the tube, supported upon the mercury, and means for admitting a solidifying fluid to the plaster.

20. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth bore, comprising a hollow holding-element adapted for insertion in the bore, a mercury-container in the holding element, having an amalgamated inner surface, a removable mercury-coated pin projecting axially from the chamber, a removable tube in the container, having its axis coincident with that of the bore, a body of mercury in the container, a plaster in the tube, supported upon the mercury, and means for admitting a solidifying fluid to the plaster.

21. A device for measuring the angle of inclination of an earth bore, comprising a holding-element adapted for insertion in the bore, an annular mercury container in the holding-element, a removable tube in the container, having its axis coincident with that of the bore, a body of mercury in the container, a plaster in the tube, supported upon the mercury, and means for admitting a solidifying fluid to the plaster.

ROBERT TEMPLE. 

